Whenever you open your wallet to pay for a product, it is usually after you made sure that what you are buying is well worth the price. Why is the price low or high? Does it align with your ideas about the cost of resources that go into manufacturing the product? Is there any way to get the same quality cheaper?Read more

Solar energy has long graduated from the realm of possibilities to that of affordable energy options. The last few years have seen a significant decrease in the cost of solar panels and a consequent increase in commercial and residential installations. In the energy competition, solar power is becoming an actor in its own right.Read more

The owners, Keith Allman and Greg Gary, who have been running and overseeing successful businesses for more than 15 years, concur that their Florida-based MC2 Solar is an organization comprised of Tampa solar panel installation experts boasting a myriad of experience to their credit. With a proven record of accomplishment and a formidable reputation in the industry, MC2 Solar operates by a mantra that suggests “honesty in the only policy,” its representatives committing themselves to completing all projects within the timeline set by clients. The company has also evolved with the ongoing improvement of technology in the solar sector, utilizing the best of that technology as well as tools to ensure that all projects exude a sense of redefining attention to every conceivable detail.

“The rapid improvement in solar technology and the freefall in costs since early 2009 have transformed this industry,” says Allman. “Systems that were completely unaffordable or downright impractical just two years ago are now considered cost-effective; yet, it is not just costs that have changed – the solar panels that are available today are smaller, more effective and more robust than ever before. Additionally, efficiency levels are improving, notably in poor lighting conditions, as is product quality, as customers demand better product with longer warranty periods. When all these improvements are taken into consideration, it’s really no surprise that solar is making such great leaps forward, and we are thrilled to evolve with this landscape…a landscape that regularly proves how solar is the best and most cost-effective way to generate electricity.”

Allman and other MC2solar panel installation experts point to research that suggests technology and the industry will continue to evolve at a similar pace over the coming years. In the next three years, to be more exact, it is believed that solar will become the cheapest way of generating electricity available, with many homes likely to see solar energy incorporated into more and more everyday objects such as laptop computers, mobile phones – even clothing. Meanwhile, far away from Florida, solar energy may perhaps cause a revolution for large areas of Asia and Africa, where entire communities currently have no access to electricity at all.

“While we concentrate on helping our Florida-based client roster, we’re well aware of how solar technology is evolving around the world,” adds Gary. “Even large-scale solar projects – entire solar power stations, capable of generating many megawatts of electricity – are now becoming feasible, with the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Mexico good examples of how photovoltaic power stations have been generating electricity for entire towns. In Spain, new giant thermo-solar power stations have devised new ways of not only generating electricity during the day but storing the sun’s energy so that it can be used for generating electricity overnight…and that is indeed something special.”

In the U.S., solar power that is clean, reliable and increasingly affordable is experiencing remarkable growth, with experts such as those associated with MC2 Solar pointing out solar power’s ability to generate electricity with no global warming pollution, no fuel costs and no risks of fuel price spikes. In fact, industry insiders such as Allman and Gary go so far to say that solar has the potential to help move the country toward cleaner, reliable and affordable sources of electricity.

“Small-scale solar photovoltaic systems, typically on rooftops, account for the majority of solar installations while large-scale PV systems and concentrating solar power (CSP) setups constitute the majority of solar’s overall electricity-generating capacity,” both Allman and Gary conclude. “All three are undergoing rapid growth, and given the abundance of sunshine across the country – notably in our home state of Florida – solar power has the potential to supply a significant amount of electricity that is both environmentally and economically attractive. That’s something we have absolutely no problem evolving along with.”

Beyond the environmental benefits of having a home solar power systeminstalled, many homeowners choose this solution as a way to dramatically decrease electricity expenses. Power bills are the one certitude of the modern world, and the constant increase in electricity rates is not likely to put any financially minded homeowner’s mind to rest.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the national average price for electricity rose for the last three years and is expected to follow the same upward trend for 2016. Regional extreme weather events (such as the 2014 Polar Vortex hitting the Eastern U.S.) or the effect of related shortages (such as insufficient gas pipelines, as it happened in Massachusetts) can cause drastic spikes in electricity costs. In such an environment, investing in solar electricity protects a home or business owners from unpleasant surprises.

Installing solar panels have an immediate effect on the mighty power bill. Homeowners can see the decrease in electricity expenses starting with the first month of using solar energy. Even better, depending on how large the solar power system is, it is possible that the power bill can be totally eliminated. In addition, the savings are likely to increase with the rise in electricity prices, making the gap between these and the actual expenses consistently larger.

But equally important is the fact that, while homeowners can count on ever-rising electricity costs, they can also expect falling costs for solar panels. This is largely due to the continuous growth of the solar electricity industry and the advances in energy technology and in the efficiency of solar cells. It is a winning equation for the financially savvy homeowners with a taste for certainty when it comes to their bills.

In short, the return on investment for solar power systems steps into double-digit territory, with a possibility of recovering the upfront cost in its entirety in as little as 6.5 years. But there is another return on investment that homeowners who choose such renewable energy resources have the right to expect. Solar power systems dramatically increase the value of a house, approaching or reaching a 100% ROI. When the house is in an environmentally minded community, the opportunities for a satisfying sale are even better.

In order to correctly appreciate the value of this investment, homeowners have only to consider that, according to the 2016 Cost vs. Value Report, home improvements such as midrange or upscale bathroom additions or composite deck additions bring a return on investment of only 56-57%. They may find that, when it comes down to hard numbers, priorities have a way of redefining themselves, and solar panels may become more appealing than the upscale master suite they dream of.

When the value of the house increases on top of already major energy savings, it is a promising scenario, whether homeowners intend to keep or sell their property. So if you are considering adding to the value of your home and to the power of your wallet, and if you are looking for low-cost solar panel installation in Tampa, give us a call. We will find the best solution for your home and we will put you on your way to start saving.

Without batteries, solar panel systems would be, at most, inconsistent sources of energy. Due to the changing nature of solar power, generous during sunny days and nonexistent at night, batteries are needed to regulate this cycle. These batteries store electricity when solar energy is at its peak and discharge it when needed.

Big-brand batteries such as Tesla’s Powerwall have become well-known for doing just that. However, the Tesla battery is not by any means the end of the road in terms of battery quality, nor when it comes to flexibility. This field is a highly innovative one and a better product is always on the horizon. We are now offering our clients such a product – the Enphase AC battery, a perfect choice for residential solar power systems and one that wins on many fronts when compared to Tesla’s battery.

First, here are the details. Enphase is an AC-coupled battery, a safer option that means that no high-voltage DC passes through the system. Due to its lithium iron phosphate chemistry, Enphase has a long cycle life and charges fast. Its round trip cell efficiency of 96% ensures minimal energy waste, while the 95% depth of discharge means efficient and reliable usage. These numbers are important when trying to couple the best solar panels with the best way of storing energy.

While the Powerwall has its definite advantages, one of them being its bigger power output, these advantages are coupled with harder things to swallow. A heftier upfront price that means serious upfront commitment, lack of flexibility in adapting to your specific consumption needs, difficulty of installation and considerable weight are only a few of the things that may make you look at other alternatives.

Enphase counteracts many of these disadvantages. At a mere 55 pounds, the battery comes at a fifth of what Tesla weighs. The installation generally takes one person less than two hours, and the battery easily connects to the AC wiring found in most homes.

But it is when this ease of installation combines with the modular construction of the Enphase battery that you get the formula most homeowners need. It happens often that prospective residential solar panels owners are not sure about their future energy consumption and would prefer to advance cautiously in order to find a scenario that works for them. If you are one of them, the Enphase battery allows you to get no more than what you need and avoid waste. If your energy needs grow in time, another Enphase battery can be installed in a simple plug-and-play manner, which keeps installation costs under control and allows for maximum flexibility. These may dramatically reduce the upfront costs in case you prefer to gradually add to your storage system.

While Powerwall can be installed only on compatible solar systems, Enphase works on any existing solar system and residential solar panels, with any brand of inverter. Finally, if incompatibilities are the bug of the modern technological world, this is not the case with Enphase batteries. With an Enphase software that controls the battery and all energy production and consumption, there are less chances of conflicts than with Powerwall that uses outside control software. The Enphase Enlighten monitoring software is a fully integrated management system that allows you to make smart decisions and use your energy efficiently.

If you have decided to install a home solar power system to reduce your energy bills, the excitement of saving money long-term may be shadowed by the initial cost of the installation. In fact, this is a major reason many prospective solar panel users may hold back, so you are not alone.

Installing PV panels is indeed not a scenario for your coin jar. For the average homeowner, it is an upfront investment that sounds a bit intimidating. But so is your yearly electricity bill that does not offer you the privilege to pay it only when you’re ready. Unlike the decision to go to solar energy, one that you can just toy with, bills are unforgiving.

So let us put the installation cost in a better light for you to make the transition to renewable energy resources a little easier. First, we should emphasize that solar panels do not necessarily deserve this aura of inaccessibility, and much of it comes from misinformation. Homeowners may be surprised to find out that there are many ways to chip away at the cost of installation to bring it to a manageable level. They may also fall into a more positive state of mind when told that they can recuperate their initial investment in as little as 6.5 years. We have already explained in detail how this is possible.

First, a large part of the initial investment in solar electricity is written off by the federal solar tax credit that accounts for 30% of the installation cost. Furthermore, state incentives may come in the form of solar rebate programs. These two considerably offset the initial cost of installation. Also, low-interest loans may be an option that minimizes your initial investment even more.

Down the road, consider the fact that getting more solar power that your house needs – for instance when you are not at home – means that you can sell the extra power to the grid, earning rather than spending money. This consideration is the reason vacation homes are good contenders for PV panel installations, ending up generating income with extra solar electricity.

But here is one more important point that has to do with us. As successful owners of businesses in other areas tangent with improving homes, we have practiced for years the art of finding cheaper solutions to expensive projects without compromising on quality. Part of it understands that price is the main restricting factor when undertaking such a project. Partis experience and exercised skills.

As a Florida resident, you do not have the privilege of just “toughening up” and enduring the humid heat. Air conditioning is a way of life in the Sunshine State, and so are the unpleasant moments when you read your energy bills. Using solar panels may be just the solution to your never-ending energy cost problem. So call us if you are interested in low cost solar panel installation in Tampa and want to find a solution for your home.